Measuring tape



June 14, 1966 A, N. ANDERSON MEASURING TAPE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April14, 1954 mvEm-OpX i fir/wld /V. Ande/:50N

TRNEY June 14, 1966 A. N. ANDERSON MEASURING TAPE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledApril 14, 1954 l( /YNEYS. l

June 14, 1966 A. N. ANDERSON MEASURING TAPE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April14, 1954 INVENTOR.

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MEASURING TAPE Filed April 14, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 /SPRING /fffBY/wo/d /V. nderson United States Patent() 3,255,531 MEASURING TAPEArnold N. Anderson, 6 Wyoming Drive, Hazlet, NJ Filed Apr. 14, 1964,Ser. No. 359,711 3 Claims. (Cl. 33-138) This invention relates generallyto measuring tapes and more particularly concerns a tape device in whichthe 'tape is coiled in a housing and is withdrawn therefrom for makingmeasurements.

Measuring tapes of the Vcharacter descrilbed have been known heretoforein which measurements taken in exposed places are easily vread on such atape, the measurement being determined by the reading at a point wherethe tape protrudes from the housing. When it is necessary to take aninside measurement, that is, a measurement between two members betweenwhich the tape is stretched, it is necessary to add to the measurementthat shows on the tape -a distance equal to the width olf the housing inorder to obtain the proper dimension; However, this addition to themeasurement that lis being read is frequently forgotten. Thus, if thewidth of the housing is two inches as is often the case, the measurementread on the tape is two inches short and this causes error, as can beWell understood. Various expedients have been proposed to remind theuser to ladd the width of the housing to the dimension'read on the tapewhen making an inside measurement, such as -movable or stationary signsand signals. These expedients do not overcome the objection that theuser must perform a mental addition to obtain the iinal correct reading.Furthermore, -the size of the housing is limited to a precise, easilyadded dimension so that other sizes of housings which may in someinstances .be desirable, cannot be used.

The present invention overcomes the above and other difficulties anddisadvantages by providing an improved tape measuring device which isdirect reading for inside and outside dimensions. According to theinvention, the

flexible tape has 4the usual ruled scale on one side, and

a special compensating scale on the iback or reverse side which is usedprimarily for inside measurements. The housing for the tape has a windowin one side in which the compensating scale on the reverse side of thetape is exposed -for direct reading of inside dimensions, unless it isdesirable to use the distance from the side edge of the case adjacent tothe mouth of the tape tip on measuring outside dimensions. In'V thiscase, the casing edge would be in line with the end of the object beingmeasured and the measurement would not be read in the top window. A lensmay be provided at the window with a hairline for very accurate directreadings. A coil spring may be provided inside the housing concentricwith the tape for automatically retracting the tape. This spring may beconcentric with the coiled tape or in la modification of the inventionmay be located alongside the coiled tape in axial alignment therewith.This latter arrangement makes it possible to install a longer tape in ahousing of particular size than is possible when the coil spring islocated inside the wound tape.

In order to insure maximum accuracy of inside .measurements, the tape ispassed through a rigid guide channel inside the housing. To facilitatemovement of the tape through this channel guide hall bearings may beprovided. The housing rand/or the channel may be made of metal orplastic parts which are stamped, cast or molded.

Brushes may be provided in the housing for wiping lboth sides of thetape as the tape is moved in and out of the housing, and to reduce wearon the tape faces at the tape mouth, thus preserving the readability ofprinted numbers. Lamps may be provided in the hous- 3,255,531 PatentedJune 14, 1966 ice ing for illuminating the scales on the tape atcritical reading points.

It is, therefore, a principal object of the invention to provide animproved tape measuring device which provides direct reading for bothinside and outside dimensions.

Another object is to provide an improved tape measuring device includinga flexible tape carried in ya housing and extensible therefrom, a tapehaving a direct reading scale on one side for measuring dimensionsbetween outside points and having a direct reading scale on its reverseside for measuring dimensions between inside points.

A further object is to provide an improved tape measuring device asdescribed, wherein the direct reading scale for inside measurements isread only through a window in the housing, the housing length beingautomatically compensated.

Another o'bject is Jto provide an improved tape measuring device asdescribed with guide and bearing means for the tape inside the housingto facilitate movement of the tape past the window and to insureaccuracy of readings to inside measurements.

Still another o'bject is to provide `an improved .tape measuring devicewith a coil spring inside the housing placed laterally of the coiledtape so that a longer tape may ibe located inside the same housing.

Still further objects are: to provide an improved tape measuring deviceincluding brushes for wiping -scales on opposite sides of .the tape; toprovide illuminating lamps for the scales; to provide improved housingstructures for the tape and spring; and to provide a tape measuringdevice capable of indicating inside measurements directly andindependently of the case dimensions, since the direct reading insidemeasurement scale is compensated for the width, of the housing of thetape.

For further comprehension of the invention, androf the objects andadvantages thereof, reference will be had to the following descriptionand accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which thevarious novel.features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In lthe accompanying drawings forming a material part 4 of thisdisclosure:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a tape measuring rule embodying theinvention, part of the tape being broken away.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an end portion of the tape, the tapebeing folded to show scales on opposite sides.

FIG. 3 is :a sectional View taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 4 4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the housing of the rule ofFIGS. 1-4, and associ-ated parts. FIG. 6 is a sectional view lof anotherrule housing according to the invention.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of parts of the rule housing ofFIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a tape guide with parts of an associated tapehousing shown in dotted lines.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary enlarged perspective view of a portion of thetape guide of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary enlarged plan view of a portion of the t-apeguide of FIGS. 8 and 9.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 11-11 of FIG. 8,including the tape guide, tape and housing. l

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view, partially in section,

with a portion of the housing broken away, of another FIG. 13 is anenlarged fragmentary sectional View taken on line 1313 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a side view, similar to FIG. 12, of a rule embodying anotherform of the invention.

FIG. 15 is :an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 15-15of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is an external perspective view of another tape measuring rule.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken-on line 17-17 of FIG.16.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken on line 18-18 of FIG. 17, parts beingshown in side elevation.

FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view, partially schematic in form, ofthe tape, spring and lassociated parts, of the rule of FIGS. 16-18.

FIG. 2O is a sectional View similar to FIG. 17 illustrating a furtherform of the invention.

FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken on FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view, similar to FIG. 19 showingparts of the rule of FIGS. 20 and 21.

FIG. 23 is a vertical sectional view similar to FIG. 3, showing anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 24 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a fragmentary perspective view of part of the rule of FIG.23, with portions shown in section and portions broken away.

FIG. 26 is a diagram of `an electric circuit employed in the rule ofFIG. 23.

FIG. 27 is a detail perspective view of a modified form of switch forholding the circuit through the lamp in off condition.

Referring first to FIGS. 1-5, there is shown a tape device R1 includinga thin, flexible metal tape 3f). A scale 32 is ruled on one side 33 ofthe tape. This scale is used for making measurement between outsidepoints. On the reverse side 34 of the tape is ruled another scale 36which is used in making measurements between inside points P from hook37 to rear wall 39 of housing 40. The tape is coiled into a roll 38inside housing 40. The housing is made of two dished plates 42, 44. Thetwo housing plates are abutted and secured together by screws 46 to makea closed, complete housing for the tape. The screws extend through holes47 into threaded holes of plate 42. Heads of the screws seat in recesses46'. Notch 48a, 48b at narrow front walls 49a, 49b of the housing plates42 and 44 define an opening 49 through which the tape can be extendedfrom the housing and retracted into the housing. The housing has a fiatbottom 50.

The last turn T of the tape within the housing passes around a guidewall 52. This wall is formed by two laterally extending opposing arcuatewall portions 52a, 52h integral with the inner opposing sides of thehousing plates. A curved guide groove 53 is defined between the convexouter side of wall 52 and inner concave side of wall portions 54a, 54bintegral with the housing plates 42, 44. The turn T passes throughgroove 53 and over the top of guide Wall 52. A window opening 55 isdefined by two recesses 55a, 5517 formed at upper ends of the housingparts. Ridges 56 project in these recesses and intert with grooves 57formed at opposite ends of a curved transparent lens 58. The lens has aconcave side 59 facing the reverse side of the tape so that scale 36 isvisible through the lens as shown in FIG. 1. Scale 36 is upside downrelative to scale 32 so that when the tape is fully retracted the scale36 reading in window 55 includes the Width W of the housing 40 at indexarrow A on the top of the housing. This is the minimum reading of scale36 and is indicated as 2 inches in FIG. 2. If the housing had a greateror lesser width, then this width would be the minimum reading of scale36. In any case, when the tape is extended the scale 32 on the upperside 33 is read for outside measurements, but for inside measurementsonly bottom scale 36 on lower side 34 is une zat-21' of read at lens 58as directed 'by instructions 60 on the top of the case.

The tape has a generally curved cross-sectional configuration as clearlyshown in FIG. 4. The wall 52 and groove 53 are correspondingly curved incross section.

Opposing upper and lower recesses 62a, 6211 are formed in the housingpla-tes for receiving small brushes 64, 66. A coil spring 68 bears onthe back 69 of the upper brush to press it into contact with the upperside of the tape while the lower brush contacts the bottom or reverseside of the brush. The bristles of the brushes wipe the opposite sidesof the tape clean when it is being extended and retracted, and thushelps to reduce Wear on the faces of the tape sides.

A coil spring 70 is provided in the housing. This spring isconcentrically located inside the coiled tape roll 38. The inner end 70of the spring is engaged in a slot 71 of a pin 72 which is axiallysecured to a rectangular base plate 73. Plate 73 fits nonrotatably in arectangular recess 74 formed in housing plate 42. Housing plate 44 has ablind bore 76 which receives the free end of pin 72. The outer end 76"of the spring is secured to the inner end 30' of the tape as clearlyshown in FIG. 3. The spring i-s tensioned by uncoiling as the tape iswithdrawn from the housing and the spring automatically recoils toretract the tape when the tape is released. Pin 72, of course, remainsstationary during the uncoiling and recoiling of the spring.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description of the rule R1, thataccurate inside measurements are made with scale 36, without thenecessity of adding to the reading on scale 32, the Width W of thehousing. This is a very Agreat convenience. The housing itself is notnecessarily limited to a width of two inches or any other particularwidth. This permits greater latitude in manufacturing, since the housingcan be made larger or smaller for holding longer or shorter tapes. Inany case, the positioning of scale 36 with respect to the hook 37 on theend of the tape determines the reading at lens 58. Lens 58 can be amagnifying lens to increase legibility of the scale reading. The rule isreadily assembled and disassembled as indicated in FIG. 5. Thus thebrushes or other parts can readily be replaced or cleaned wheneverdesired. The `plates 42, 44 can be made quite economically by casting onmass production machinery. The plates can be made of metal or plastic.

In FIGS. 6 and 7 is shown a housing 40a, which can be substituted forhousing 40 in rule R1 described a'bove. In housing 40a, two arcuateplates 80a, 8011 are provided as separate members inserted in arcuateparallel grooves 82a, 8217 of housing plates 42a, 44a. The plates 80a,801: are spaced apart to define a passage 53a through which the turn Tof tape 30 will be passed for reading at window 5S detined by recesses55a', SSb. The upper end -of plate 80a terminates at window 55 and anadditional arcuate plate 80c can be provided in a groove at the otherend of the window to extend concentrically with plate 80b. Bosses 84,each with a threaded hole 85, receive screws 46a, after passage throughholes 46. Pin 72' on which the inner end of spring 70 is to be securedis formed integral with plate 42a and its free end seats in blind bore76 formed on the inner side of plate 44a. Plates 42a and 44a are simplerin structure than plates 42, 44 of housing 40. Plate 42a has a fiatouter wall 88 and a peripheral narrow wall 89. Plate 44a has a flatouter wall 90 and a peripheral narrow wall 89 which lines up ,with wall89 in registration. FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the assembled housing40a in vertical central -cross section generally similar to FIG. 4. Itshows the free end of pin 72 engaged in 'bore 76' and plates 80a, 80bengaged in grooves 82a, 82b. Other parts corresponding to those ofhousing 40 are identically numbered.

In FIGS. 8-11 there is shown housing 40h which can be used in place ofeither housings 40 or 40a. This housing has a guide structure for theoutside turn T of tape 30 formed of arcuate plates 80a', 80h and 80C'similar to plates 80a, 80b and 80e of housing 40a. Plates 80a', 80b' and80e are seated in grooves 82a, 82b in opposing side walls 88, 90 ofhousing plates 42a, 44a. A plurality of holes 91 are formed in each ofthe arcuate plates. These holes are spaced apart circumferentially ofthe plates and ate plates. Other parts of housing 40b corresponding t-othose of housings 40 and 40a are identically numbered.

In FIGS. 12 and 13, the guide means for the outside turn T of tape roll3S in housing 40C is defined 'by lopposing arcuate rows of ball bearings94a, 94a rotatably seated in concave sears 95 at inner opposing ends ofbearing projections 96 integrally formed with inner sides of walls 88a,90a of the housing plates 42a', 44a. The ball bearings define an arcuatepassage `53b therebetween through which turn T freely passes. Thus thescale 36 on the reverse side of the tape reads accurately when insidedimensions are taken. Other parts of rule R2 corresponding to those ofrule R1 and housings 40a, 40h are identically numbered.

In FIGS. 14 and 15 is shown r-ule R3 which is similar to lrule R2 andcorresponding parts are identically numbered. In this rule, an innerarcuate row of convex roller bearings 94 is slightly spaced from anouter arcuate row of concave roller bearings 94 to dene a narrow arcuatepassage 53C. The bearings are rotatably carried by shafts 100 anchoredat their heads 102 on outer sides of the side walls 88', 90 of plates42a, 44a of the housing 40d. The mating convex and concave sides of theIbearings insures close contact with the opposite sides of the turn T ofthe tape which is curved incross section.

Rule R4 shown in FIGS. 16-19 has a housing 40E which l is thicker thanhousing 40 of rule R1. In housing 40E,

coil spring 70a is disposed at one side of the roll 38a of the tape 30.The inner end of the spring 70a is engaged in a slot 104 of a rotatableaxial shaft 106. The outer end of the spring is engaged in a slot 108 ofa xed .post 110. Opposite ends of shaft 106 are supported rotatably inrecesses 112, 114 formed at inner sides of side walls 120, 122constituting the housing plates 124, 126. The inner end of tape roll 38ais engaged in slot 128 of shaft 106. The outer turn T of the tape passesover a guide lingers bar 125 depen-ding from lens 58a and under thecurved underside.

When the tape 30 is drawn out of opening 49 in the housing, the roll 38arotates as it contracts. Spring 70a rotates as it contracts also, withits outer end remaining fixed in post 110. The scale on the reverse side34 of the tape is read through lens when inside dimensions are takenwith the tape. Scale 34 has graduated reading to cornpensate or thefluctuating length of the tape between lens 58a and the mouth 49 of thetape housing 40E. The rule R4 provides the advantage that a longer tapecan be contained in a given size housing, since the coil spring islateral of the tape roll rather than inside it as in the rule R1. Itwill be noted that tape 30 is wound in the opposite direction fromspring 70a so that the spring is wound up and tensioned as the tape iswithdrawn from the housing of the rule. Then when the tape is releasedthe unwinding spring retracts the tape. High spring tension ensures thattape 38a will remain taut at all times, thereby ensuring that scale 34'which is graduated to compensate for the fluctuating distance betweenlens 58a and mouth 49, always reads the same at a given distance.

-In FIGS. 20-22 is shown another rule R5 in which parts similar to thoseof rules R-l-R4 are identically numbered. In rule R5 the outer end ofcoil spring 7011 is engaged on a crank pin 130 `or" ya rotatable crankarm 132. The arm is integral with a central axial shaft 106e. The sha'fthas a slot 128 in which in engaged the inner end of tape roll 38h. Theinner end of the spring is secured in a slot 134 formed in a boss 136integral with wall 1120of housing plate 124. The shat 106a has one endrotatably journaled in recess 1212 in boss 1136. The other end of shaft106a is .rotatably journaled in recess 114 of side wall 122 of thehousing plate 126.

When the tape 30 is withdrawn from the housing 40f of rule R5, thespring 7 0b which is wound in opposite direction winds up withincreasing tension as shalt 106a is rotated by the uncoiling tape roll38b. When the tape is released the uncoiling spring retracts and windsup the tape. The outer turn T of the tape i-s engaged on guide fingersof lens 58a as in rule R4.-

In FIGS. 23-2-6, the tape rule vR6 is generally similar to rule vR21 andcorresponding parts are identically nurnbered. In housing 40)c of thisrule is a cylindrical cavity formed inside housing plates 42', 44'. Ahollow metal casing 152 is inserted in the cavity and contains a drycell battery 154 arnanged in a circuit C shown in FIG. 26. A coil springI1'55 bears on the metal case of the battery and presses the positiveterminal 1'56 into cont-act with a metal -lug 158 mounted on one side ofan insulated disk 160. On the other side of disk 160 is a lug 159 whichis pressed into contact with terminal 161 of a lamp 162. The screwtermin-al v164 lof the lamp is engaged in a flange 168 at the bottom endof the casing 152. The lamp is exposed at vopening 49e in the housingjust above the outer end of tape 30a. Rearwardly of opening 45k` is aswitch 170 seated in a recess 1712. The switch has a spring-pressedlever Aarm 1714 projecting downwardly so that it can be moved reanwardlywhen the hook 37 at the end of the tape is fully retracted into theopening 49C as shown in FIG. 24. The switch is .then opened. When thetape is extended fnom the housing, the switch arm is released and theswitch closes. A'wire cable 180 extends from Ithe switch along a groove182. at theside yof cavity 150. 'One branch wire 184 is connected to lugy158 through an opening 185 in the side of casing 152.

Another branch wire 186 is connected to lug 159 through opening 185. Athird insulated Ibranch wire C188 extends laterally thro-ugh a hole 189and terminates at a lug 190 which is pressed into contact with thecentral terminal 191 of another lamp 192. The screw terminal 193 of thelamp is engaged in a `threaded hole 194 .at the top off the hou-sing asshown in FIG. 25. An insulated screw plug 195 holds t-he lamp in thehole 194 and holds lug l190 in contact with the central terminal 1911lof the lamp 1912. The lamp r192 is located near lens 58b just above theinside reading scale 36 on side 34 of the rtape turn T.

In circuit C off FIG. 26 switch 170 is shown open as it would be withthe tape fully retracted in the position ot' FIG. 24. The switch isconnected via wire 184 to lug 158 and via wire 185 to the positiveterminal of battery 154. The negativel terminal of the battery, which isthe battery case, is grounded in the housing of the tape rule. The screwterminals 164 .and 193 of lamps 165, 192, respectively, are grounded inthe housing of the tape rule. The other terminal [161 of lamp 165 isconnected via lug 159 and wire 186 to the terminal 198 of switch 170.The other terminal 19=1 of the lamp 192 is connected via lug 190 `andwire188 to termin-al 1918 of the switch. The two lamps are thusconnected in parallel and are lighted when the `tape is withdrawn fromthe housing 40f as switch closes to illuminate the direct reading scale32 on tape side 33 for measuring outside dimensions and to illuminatethe direct reading scale 36 on tape side 34 for measuring insidedimensions. -A tie bar 42 extending between the sides of the casing holdthe tape T over the portions `51211 and 5:2b of the casing.

The housing 40f if desired may be provided with a thumb operated member200, extending through a slot 202 in the wall of the housing foractuating a movable switch member 204 disposed adjacent thespring-pressed lever arm 174 and adapted to engage and move said leverarm away from the stationary switch member 170' of switch 170 therebymanually breaking the circuit through the lamp 162.

The tape rules RC1-R6 embodying the various forms of the invention allhave the common ability to provide accurate direct readings ofmeasurements between inside points, without requiring arithmeticcalculations involving the width of the -housing or case of the taperule. The `several tape rules can be manufactured -at low cost bywell-known mass production machinery;

W'hile I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment-s of myinvention, it is to be understood that I do not lirnit myself to theprecise constructions herein ydisclosed and the various changes andmodifications may Ihe made within the scope of the invention as definedin t-he appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is new, and desire tosecure by United States Letters Patent 1. A tape device, comprising aflat, generally rectanguiar housing having an outlet at one end, aflexible tape coiled into a roll in said housing and withdraw/ablethrough said outlet for making measurements of length, said tape havinga linear scale on one side thereof, a transparent window in said housingfor viewing said scale on an outermost coil of said roll, a referencemark adjacent said window whereby the distance between the free end ofthe withdrawn tape and the other end of the housing is indicated by saidscale at said window, another mark on the other side of said tape fordirect reading of outside measurements made with said tape, and guidemeans in said housing so that the circumferential length of saidoutermost coil between said one end of the housing and the referencemark adjacent said window is maintained constant as the tape iswithdrawn from the housing, said guide means comprising a first arcuaterow of convex roller bearings inside the housing, and a second arcuaterow of concave roller bearings concentric with and spaced from the firstrow, the bearings being in opposed relation, to define a narrow arcuatepassage therebetween, said passage being curved in cross section, thecurvature of the coils of the roll corresponding to that of saidpassage, whereby the outermost coil of the roll is movably guided insaid passage between the roller bearings.

2. A tape device, comprising a flat, generally rectangular housinghaving an outlet at one end, a flexible tape coiled into a roll in saidhousing and withdrawable through said outlet for making measurements oflength, said tape having a linear scale on one side thereof, atransparent window in said housing for viewing said scale on anoutermost coil of said roll, a reference mark adjacent said windowwhereby the distance between the free end of the withdrawn tape and theother end of the housing is indicated by said scale at said window,another mark on the other side of said tape for direct reading ofoutside measurements made with said tape, and guide means in saidhousing so that the circumferential length of said outermost coilbetween said one end of the housing and the reference mark adjacent saidwindow is maintained constant as the tape is withdrawn from the housing,a coil spring inside the housing located alongside the tape roll inaxial alignment therewith, a rotatable shaft inside the housingextending axially of the tape roll and spring, the

inner end of the tape roll being fixed to the shaft, the inner end ofthe spring being fixed inside the housing, and an arm radiating from theshaft, the outer end of the coil spring being fixed to the outer end ofsaid arm, whereby the coil spring is tensioned while the tape is beingwithdrawn from the housing and whereby the tape is automaticallyretracted by the spring into the housing after the tape is Withdrawn andthen released.

3. A tape device, comprising a fiat, generally rectangular housinghaving an outlet at one end, a fiexible tape coiled into a roll in saidhousing and withdrawablethrough said outlet for making measurements oflength, said tape having a linear scale onV one side thereof, atransparent window in said housing for viewing said scale on anoutermost coil of said roll, a reference mark adjacent said windowwhereby the distance between the free end of the withdrawn tape and theother end of the housing is indicated by said scale at said window,another mark on the other side of said tape for direct reading ofoutside measurements made with said tape, and guide means in saidhousing so that the circumferential length of said outermost coilbetween said one end of the housing and the reference mark adjacent saidwindow is maintained constant as the tape is withdrawn from the housing,and a coil spring inside said housing located alongside the tape roll inaxial alignment therewith, a rotatable shaft inside the housingextending axially of the tape roll and spring, inner ends of the taperoll and spring being fixed to said shaft, the outer end of the springbeing fixed in the housing, the coil spring being wound in a directionopposite to the direction of winding of the tape roll, whereby the coilspring is tensioned vwhile the tape is being withdrawn from the housingand whereby the tape is automatically retracted by the spring into thehousing after the tape is withdrawn and released, said guide meanscomprising a first arcuate row of ball bearings inside the housing, a I

second arcuate row of ball bearings concentric with and spaced from thefirst row to define a passage therebetween, the outermost coil of theroll being movably guided by said ball bearings through said passage,and means rotatably supporting the ball bearings in the housing.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,216,418 2/1917Crogan 33-138 1,245,704 11/1917 Gowrie 33-138 1,276,311 8/1918Armbruster 33-138 1,485,634 3/1924 Schillman 242-848 1,730,199 10/1929Farrand 242-848 1,761,592 5/1930 Seidel 242-848 1,880,705 10/1932 Bitner33-138 X 1,964,248 5/1934 4Buck 33-137 2,651,235 9/1953 Barrows 33-143 X2,837,296 5/1958 Zelnick 33-138 2,992,487 7/1961 Miller 33-138 3,004,34610/1961 Quenot 33-138 FOREIGN PATENTS 598,648 5/ 1925 France. 939,35110/1961 Great Britain.

ISAAC LISANN, Primary Examiner.

B. A. DONAHUE, Assistant Examiner.

1. A TAPE DEVICE, COMPRISING A FLAT, GENERALLY RECTANGULAR HOUSING ANOUTLET AT ONE END, A FLEXIBLE TAPE COILED INTO A ROLL IN SAID HOUSINGAND WITHDRAWABLE THROUGH SAID OUTLET FOR MAKING MEASUREMENTS OF LENGTH,SAID TAPE HAVING A LINEAR SCALE ON ONE SIDE THEREOF, A TRANSPARENTWINDOW IN SAID HOUSING FOR VIEWING SAID SCALE ON AN OUTERMOST COIL OFSAID ROLL, A REFERENCE MARK ADJACENT SAID WINDOW WHEREBY THE DISTANCEBETWEEN THE FREE END OF THE WITHDRAWN TAPE AND THE OTHER END OF THEHOUSING IS INDICATED BY SAID SCALE AT SAID WINDOW, ANOTHER MARK ON THEOTHER SIDE OF SAID TAPE FOR DIRECT READING OF OUTSIDE MEASUREMENTS MADEWITH SAID TAPE, AND GUIDE MEANS IN SAID HOUSING SO THAT THECIRCUMFERENTIAL LENGTH OF SAID OUTERMOST COIL BETWEEN SAID ONE END OFTHE HOUSING AND THE REFERENCE MARK ADJACENT SAID WINDOW IS MAINTAINEDCONSTANT AS THE TAPE IS WITHDRAWN FROM THE HOUSING, SAID GUIDE MEANSCOMPRISING A FIRST ARCUATE ROW OF CONVEX ROLLER BEARING INSIDE THEHOUSING, AND A SECOND ARCUATE ROW OF CONCAVE ROLLER BEARINGS CONCENTRICWITH AND SPACED FROM THE FIRST ROW, THE BEARING BEING IN OPPOSEDRELATION, TO DEFINE A NARROW ARCUATE PASSAGE THEREBETWEEN, SAID PASSAGEBEING CURVED IN CROSS SECTION, THE CURVATURE OF THE COILS OF THE ROLLCORRESPONDING TO THAT OF SAID PASSAGE, WHEREBY THE OUTERMOST COIL OF THEROLL IS MOVABLY GUIDED IN SAID PASSAGE BETWEEN THE ROLLER BEARINGS.